Grace Community Church, Sao Paulo

The day after Renata's wedding, Rafael took us to his church, Grace Community Church, to attend evening worship. It is a mega church, with 3000 worshippers. This is my first time to a church of this size.

Worship started at 7:00 p.m. But we arrived at around 6:10 p.m., and we were not the first ones. Many have already arrived. Rafael said that we had to get there early to secure good seats. Otherwise, we may have to sit outside the worship center, and watch life broadcast. 

At 6:30 p.m., most of the seats, outside and inside, were occupied. Circles of people started to group around. It was the small groups' prayer time. The sound from the prayers filled up the sanctuary. Some arms were raised, and some were laid over peoples' bodies. This is a church of prayers.

Slightly after 7:00 p.m., worship started with songs, and their lyrics were all in Portuguese, but music is a universal language. When the congregation sang praises to the Lord, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I watched the 3000 worshippers raised their hands and moved their bodies along with the music with so much joy. I was in tears. I praised God for this compassionate group that longed for Him. Comparing with the churches that I have been to in various continents, nothing was like this church. The world is not so pessimistic. I prayed that God will bless Sao Paulo because of this congregation.

Another good news is that this church is expanding. Rafael showed us a construction area behind the stage. It will allow more seating areas and more people to worship. Amazing grace! Who are we, that the Lord bless us with that much? Rafael also explained that people there were very simple. They had simple families, jobs and lives. They got together just because they love the Lord and they relied on the Lord.

Does not Jesus treasure worshippers with children's hearts? These people do not see the rainbow everyday, and they do not have the beach surrounding them, they don't always see the sunny sky, yet they love the Lord. (Poor Hawaii....)

A blessed church started with prayerful hearts. A blessed nation relies on trust in God. I prayed that 'in God we trust' is not only marked on our coins, but in our hearts. May God bless Brazil and the U.S.A.